The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-08-11

After the temporary organization had |
been completed, and the various commit
tees appointed. the convention took a |
recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Upon the re-assembling of the conven-
ton, Col. Robt. Beverly stated that there |
had been some misapprehension as to the |
significance of the Farmers meeting, held |
the night before. The third party idea
had not been entertained, and he wanted !
to disabuse the public mind OF any such |
impression. The farmers never intended |
to cut loose from the Democratic party, |
but proposed to fight out their battle within |
the party lines. He he had always been |
Democrat, and expected to remain one. |
Col Beverly's remarks were received with |
every demonstration of approval, and no
little surprise. 1t was understood that |
the night before there had been some pref.
ty independent talk in the Farmers meet |
ing, and that threats were INDUCED of cor
responding action, should the convention
persist in ignoring the reasonable demands
of the farmers. A change had evidently
come over the spirit Of the agriculturists
between the two suns.
Upon the recommendation of the COM
mttee. the permanent organization was
effected as follows Hon. John Goode
permanent chairman, and the following
vice-presidents: First district, III. r. Pol
lard; Second, Colonel Thomas Tabb; Third
H. l.. Carter; Fourth, DR.. r. S. Powell:
Fifth, Judge D. w. Bolen; Sixth, Hon.
Jno. W. Daniel; Seventh, Hon. Jno. T.
Harris; Eighth. Hon. B. Johnson Barbour;
Ninth: Judge w. F. Rhea; Tenth, Hon.
John j. A. Powell; Secretary, W. W.
Scott; Assistants, Col. j.. Bell Bigger,
Basil B. Gordon, and members of the
| Democratic press present; Sergeant.at-
Arms, Z. T. Weaver.
Upon taking the chair Mr.. Goode made
a somewhat lengthy speech, in which he
| took occasion to commend all the Demo-
cratic party had done, and to condemn the
work of the Republicans. 1t was apparent
from his remarks, and those OF others,
that the central issue of the campaign will
be the election of United States Senator,
and that all other questions will be subor-
dinated thereto.
| MIR. MASSEY.
| 1t was evidently the purpose of those
who controlled the convention to postpone
the report on the resolutions to the last
moment, and thereby cut off all discussion.
| To this end various statesmen were called
to assist in the patriotic work of killing
time. Mr.. Massey was among those who
responded. The old veteran was in excel
lent trim, and managed before he sat down
to make several digs under the ribs of his
colleagues. He declared it was
great pity that it had taken the Demo-
cratic party so long to find out that he was
Political Normal for years in Virginia,
and was rather proud of some Of the in
structors he had turned out, He reviewed
the debt question IN ertensO, and commended
that in justice the State owed but
$10,000,000. For the sake of harmony,
however, he was willing to accept the Rid
dleberger bill, provided the creditors came
in and funded under it in six months.
After that time he was for closing the
doors. Mr.. Massey was frequently APP
plauded during the delivery of his speech,
his advanced ideas seeming to coincide
with the views of the convention. His
purpose was evidently to place himself on
record. He knew that the committee would
endorse the Riddleberger act, and he knew
also that no opportunity would be given
for discussion after the report had been
submitted. AS he concluded, the cOnven-
ton again took recess.
| NIGHT SESSION.
AS in the morning and afternoon, the
Hall was crowded when Chairman Goode
called the convention to order for the final
session. AS soon as the band had played
the opening piece, loud calls were made
for Daniel When the junior Senator adj
vanced to the platform the house rang
with repeated cheering. The chief feature
of Maj. Daniels speech was his attempted
defence of the work of the forty ninth
congress, and effort to saGdle the whole
responsibility for failure to enact the legls
lation so vital to Virginia upon Carlisle.
JUDGE HARRIS
Was also called to the front and made a
characteristic speech which set the house
; in an uproar. He showed among other
things the true meaning of Cleveland
declaration: Public Office is a public
trust,' by demonstrating that whilst the
President was pLacatIng the mngwumps
with high sounding sentiment, his keer
official cimeter was busy with its work
So quietly and effectively had that work
been performed that before the grumblers
had ceased to complain, the last Republl
can head rolled into the basket. The
beauty of it was that there had been nj
parade or show, but all the same the con
summation so devoutly to be wished ha(
been reached, and that quickly.
JUDGE STAPLES
followed Judge Harris, in brief speed
which was well received. AS he conc Iude(
the committee on resolutions announced
that it was ready to report. The platform
was read, and Gen. Field, who had been il
the farmers meeting the night before
moved that it be adopted serjatina. TX
, this there was storm of protest. Gen
, Field explained that his only objection
was that plank III reference to the farming
, interests; that it was indefinite, and no
such declaration as the farmers had {
, right to expect. The vote was then takel
on the platform, with the exception OF thu
, 18th plank, and carried unanimously
Then the omitted paragraph was voted
upon separately and carried with but two
dissenting votes-Col. Beverly and Gen
Field. The convention then adjourned.
The delegations from the Valley an(
Southwest were large. Those represent
!, ing Augusta were Capt. J. A. Patterson, il
chairman, Hon. A. B. Lightner, Hon. E
Echols, VIM. Patrick, Esq, DR.. Davis
Messrs. J. A. Bumgardner, W. Sproul, J
A. Leonard, G. J. Pratt, j. N. Opie. S. M
Donald, and N. G. Watts. Mr.. Patrici
, was member of the committee ON reso
lutions, and was one of the subcommittee
, that had charge of the agricultural plank